Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that is characterized by a poor self-image, which ultimately leads to self-starvation and extreme weight-loss.

About one percent of all adolescent females have anorexia, while only 10 percent of total anorexia cases are men. The reason why females are more susceptible to anorexia probably stems from the demands that society places on young women to be thin. A new trend among young adults has been sweeping the nation: pro-anorexia websites. Also known as pro-ana, these sites glorify anorexia nervosa and offer "thinspiration" on maintaining a starvation lifestyle. All pro-anorexia websites have one thing in common - they promote anorexia nervosa.

Pro-ana websites suggest that one follow the "Ana" way of life. Ana promotes thinness and considers overweight people as ugly and inferior. They suggest that one obsess about calories and avoidance of food. Food is considered the ultimate enemy.

A signature item that most pro-Ana sites seem to have is a list of rules of commandments. An excerpt from a site I visited: [Being thin is the most important thing in life; Thin is beautiful and good / obese is ugly and bad; You must feel very guilty every time you eat]. Sites also offer a variety of tips and excuses that will help anorexics to hide their problem or aid the starvation process. A few tips and excuses I found: Take diet pills; No thanks, I ate a huge breakfast (or lunch); If your family suspects you have an eating problem, leave plates and half full glasses around the house so it looks like you ate. Safe food lists are also available on these sites. According to pro-ana, safe foods consist of mostly leafy greens and vegetables with a lot of water content, particularly lettuce and cucumbers. Water is promoted as a weight-loss enhancer and satiety agent. Individuals are encouraged to keep a journal to track their calorie intake, weight-loss and feelings. An array of pictures are used as motivators, usually supermodels and thin celebrities such as Calista Flockhart("Ally McBeal").

Although web-hosting companies have attempted to eliminate these websites, they are still readily accessible. An increase in the "underground network" has allowed individuals to gain access to these sites. The underground network is the same thing that pedophiles use to access child pornography. Users just e-mail one another and once they reach an agreement, they are given the URL for the site that is privately hosted. This has resulted in an ever-increasing challenge for Internet surveillance agencies to monitor content on the web.

Treating anorexia nervosa requires a team of professionals consisting of physicians, psychologists, nutritionists and family and friends. Most individuals resist treatment at first because they feel that weight-loss will improve their self-image and once they achieve that "ideal," they will stop. The problem with this is that the "ideal" may never be achieved, and hence, the anorexia will continue. Only about half of all treated patients report successful therapy.

Some common signs of anorexia are finding excuses for not eating, becoming obsessed with the mirror, excessive and compulsive exercising, loss of menstrual cycle in women, fear of gaining weight and deliberate self-starvation.

Anorexia may lead to malnutrition, dehydration, serious damage to the heart, liver and kidneys and ultimately death. A poor self-image, perfectionism, "all or nothing" attitude, and altered social relationships are also related to those suffering from anorexia.

If you suspect that someone may have anorexia or any other eating disorder, call the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Helpline at: 1-800-950-NAMI. Don't wait until it's too late. Be Healthy!